Astarion is my favourite character, so I don't agree with you OP.
For heterosexual males, I agree that Lae'zel and Shadowheart are not the best options. Lae'zel is slightly better though, Shadowheart is just a teenager...
Also, I like Gale's voice, watch British comedies if you want to know where his personality comes from :P. Gale makes me think of Simon Pegg.